The November '06 Comics [Spoilers]

52 26-29, All-New Atom #5, Birds of Prey #100, Earth's Mightiest Heroes 2 #1 and 2, Iron Man #13, Irredeemable Ant-Man #2, JLA Classified #29, Justice League of America #3, Moon Knight #6, Ms. Marvel #9, New Avengers #25, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #24, >Wonder Woman #3

This month's comic discussion is focused on the chopping block--which books stay? Which books go? Which have job security and which had best not slip up or "kkkkhh"? Other than that, they're short and shallow, sorry. If I have deeper thoughts on any of these books, I'll write a separate entry.

52 #26
I was pleased to see the entire Sivana clan here, having read about the first two Sivana kids in some book on the history of comics. Since I don't know the history that well, I've no idea if the characterization of the elder siblings (Beautia and Magnificus) reflects the originals (I believe they came first in the Captain Marvel books). I will say that once again my favorite bits are those on the mad scientists' island. At this point, though, my main thing with the 52 books is whether or not I see anything in them that will get me to start adding them to the get list again. So far, no. Going, going, gone.

52 #27
So why is it that the Spectre does not currently have a human host, anyway? I've been losing interest in the Question/Montoya storyline, although I expect that to change. The Ralph story, which I thought had paled a bit, was better this time and maintains an uncertainty that I like. The origin in back, which generally I haven't cared for, was useful this time.

52 #28
Well, I still like Starfire, because I almost always like Starfire. And there was a bit more of Batwoman, although still not enough to really give us a sense of her. And I'd have expected that by now I'd care more about the Question--enough to care if he lives or dies, in any case, and so far I don't. I do realize that a weekly book is more likely than most to be spotty in terms of quality.

52 #29
The Luthor-created hero storyline still fails to compel, although it's not wholly uninteresting. And the mad scientist island storyline is still the most interesting. And I still haven't gone to add the next month's issues to my order. I guess they have another month to win me back! :)

All-New Atom #5
Still a lot of fun. I'm not quite getting why adult college professor Ryan Cho has to get his dad to let him stay, but when that's the biggest problem I have as far as suspended disbelief goes, it's not a bad thing. Ryan is fun. Panda is fun. Most of the villains are fun. Ryan's dad--not so fun, but that's all right. Keeper.

Birds of Prey #100
I'm still enjoying this title a lot. I guess I don't have to miss Black Canary too much since apparently she's going to be in the new Justice League book. And I'm happy to see Barda, and I'm developing an appreciation for Zinda, and I have no idea who Manhunter is although I guess she has her own book? Fun book, as always. Definite keeper.

Earth's Mightiest Heroes 2 #1 and 2
When I saw this in the solicits I was thrilled, because I'd so enjoyed the first series. But I'm really disappointed this time and I'm not entirely sure why. While I liked the first one very much, I don't think it was good enough that another similar series would inevitably pale by comparison, but that's what seems to be happening here. Right now I'll just assume that it's going to get better, but damn it, this was supposed to be the good stuff from Marvel this month... Keeper only because it's a bimonthly series and I've already ordered it all.

Green Lantern #14
This might just be my first copy of Green Lantern ever. It was all right. Not great, but all right. I have a few more issues on order, and then I can make up my mind. On the fence, tipping toward off.

Green Lantern Corps #6
On the whole it has been Soranik Natu who has been carrying this book for me, but I guess I've also been picking up on some of the other Lanterns as well because I really want to know what Isamot is going to do next issue! Currently on the keep list.

Iron Man #13
Well, it was nice to read a story with IM in it and not spend the whole time thinking to myself "Okay, now how are they going to salvage Tony after this?...wait, what's he doing now? gah!" which has been the usual thing recently. At least you see him thinking here. But guys, please don't kill Happy Hogan, dammit! Keeper because of the nostalgia factor.

Irredeemable Ant-Man #2
The best thing about this book is that it's unpredictable. (And I'm still enjoying the notion that there are SHIELD agents and then there are SHIELD agents--that while many are in fact Bondian types, there are also a number that are the equivalent of mall security as far as skill and training go...and while I'm not sure that idea works that well on the whole, in this case it's a hoot.) Not as good as issue #1 but still on the get list.

JLA Classified #29
I don't get this book regularly, but I do when the story featues a lineup I like. Right now it's featuring the Morrison era League, so I'm getting this story arc. (I'd also happily get books about the "Not Necessaily the Justice League" era League but I'm guessing those won't be forthcoming.) Not a bad story if a bit political for my usual preferences, but since I don't yet know if I'll like the new League much, I'm enjoying it. I don't think I'm getting the next arc but I'll keep an eye open for the next arc that interests me.

Justice League of America #3
At this point this is a keeper because I think I might like it at some point, not so much because I love it now. Except for the awesomeness of Black Canary, which is always to love, even if I can't look at her underwear riding up in back (that's not a thong, it's a wedgie) without cringing. Hawkgirl hasn't done much yet and is still far more interesting than in her own book. And while I suspect I'm supposed to like the Red Tornado by now, so far I can't seem to muster much interest. I gather he was more interesting in the old days? Still a keeper but a bit disappointing.

Moon Knight #6
This one's still got me, despite it being not exactly the sort of book I usually go for. (I've got the Essential Moon Knight in the other room, have not read it yet and not sure whether I should--would it complement or interfere with my understanding of this series?) In any case, I like that there's always some point at which I'm not quite sure what's going on. I like the sense of faith that's present in Marc's interactions with Khonshu (regardless of how--or whether--those are taking place). I'm still liking this book. Keeper.

Ms. Marvel #9
Cool thing: Rogue and Ms. Marvel are on the verge of a misunderstanding-based battle, and they don't fight, they figure out what the deal is (two Carols, one from an alternate universe) and go from there. Seriously, how often do you see that--super-powered beings thinking first and hitting only later if necessary? Other cool thing: Carol has been focusing recently on how much better things could have been for her. It's the source of her recent drive. But here, in the alternate Carol, she sees as well how much worse they could have been as well--how she could have failed but did not. At this point her reaction is disgust with the alternate Carol, who represents a far different "could have been." I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out in future issues. And! Not a Civil War issue! Keeper, obviously.

New Avengers #25
Too much Civil War, not enough actual New Avengers. And a way annoying bit where Maria Hill talks about how damn incompetent she is. No, I don't like her (you're not supposed to), but this is a really uncomfortable turn of events, making her so explicitly an unworthy adversary. If I weren't such a die-hard Avengers fan, and if I weren't hoping that I see the light at the end of the tunnel...but I am and I do, so this one is still a keeper. They're making it damn hard, though.

Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #24
This might be the last issue we get, I'm not sure, although I suppose if the twelve-year-old decides she wants it we'll get it. (She's decided she wants Teen Titans as TPBs so that's off the list of monthlies. I'm glad to see that Supergirl is back in the group, although less glad to see that she's apparently being portrayed as not very bright. (Or is that because her super-brain doesn't work under a red sun?) As for me, it's an okay book, but I'm clearly not in its intended audience and I don't see that changing. Currently gone.

Wonder Woman #3
The twelve-year-old hasn't read this one yet, but once she has, her vote will decide whether we keep getting it. I quite like the art, but the story hasn't drawn me in yet. Although I want to like this book, right now it's off the keep-at-all-costs list, though not off the get list entirely.

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Not in this month's shipment and missed: Captain America and Ion.

Possibly adding to the get list: New Excalibur. Also Justice Society of America, mainly because the twelve-year-old really likes Stargirl.